The Flash – Flash Back

You know what they say about those who ignore the past? Unable to break the code and enhance his speed any further, Barry (Grant Gustin) decides the only man who can help him with his problem is his greatest enemy. Despite the consequences from the last time he time traveled, and against the concerns of his friends, Barry chooses to travel back in time to the events of “The Sound and the Fury” in hopes of tricking Eobard Thawne (Tom Cavanagh) into helping him. Despite warnings not to make changes to the timeline, Barry can’t help but make a few tweaks (the effects of which we begin to see as soon as he returns to the present).

“Flash Back” not only allows for the return of both Hartley Rathaway (Andy Mientus) and Detective Eddie Thawne (Rick Cosnett) but also allows Cavanagh to go into full super-villain mode once the faux Harrison Wells discovers the Flash’s secret. Unable to save Eddie, whose death stopped the Reverse-Flash, Barry’s actions do effect the timeline. First, heading back in time makes him (and his loved ones) the targets of Time Wraiths looking for the individual who doesn’t belong in this point in time. And second, and unexpected, the difference in how Barry deals with the Pied Piper ends up to have a much more positive effect as Hartley is now an ally rather than enemy (at least for now) in the new future the Flash creates. I’ll be curious to see if there are any other changes his actions may have unintentionally caused.